Why do we love robots so much? Especially as toys? And for so long? I think it’s because toy robots perfectly reflect embody the intersection of imagination, play, and technology.
Robots reflect our fundamental curiosity about life itself—what it means to move, think, or act independently. For children, they are magical objects that blur the line between the inanimate and the animate, allowing them to project stories of adventure, control, and companionship. For adults, robot toys oftenreflect deeper cultural hopes and anxieties about progress, automation, and the future.
In this episode, Chris talksto Jamie Zhang, Senior Director and CFO of Robosen.The company has made a splash with its super, sophisticated robots based on Buzz Lightyear and Optimus Prime. In September 2025, they have introduced a Mini line starting with eight Toy Story characters and many more to come.
Jamie and Chris talk about robotics, developing a line of well-priced, yet sophisticated best friends that give consumers new ways to express their fandom and connect with their favorite characters on a personal level.
Among the many issues currently bouncing around the toy biz,AI is one a lot of people are talking about, thinking about, and looking at ways to integrate it into play experiences.
In this episode, Chris talks to Misha Sallee, CEO of Curio. Thecompany’s first products are AI-powered playmates that can make play engaging,educational, and more fun. We talk about his toys, and AI’s potential for toys.
And, in a Playground Podcast first, I also get to interview a toy…in real time.
The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy News, TheToy Guy, and Beacon Media Group.
Listen in to a really special episode. We’re talking about aprogram that’s near and dear to my heart, the Young Inventor’s Challenge. I’m joined by program director Ahren Hoffman, Amy Saldana from kiddywampus, Hilary Key from The Toy Chest, and Julie Burczyk from Tools for Teaching.
We talk about how these leading specialty retailers have I integrated the Young Inventors Challenge into their businesses and why it's consistenlty a success.
Now in its 20th year, this a powerful program that inspiresyoung people, celebrates the essential nature of play, and for specialty retailers helps them build community. By the way, it’s a great opportunity for sponsors as well.
Find out more here.
Matt Brown is one of the coolest and most thoughtful guys inthe toy business. His dedication to play and kids is always inspiring.
Over the years, since he entered our industry with Zoob,Matt and Chris have had many conversations about the role of play in children’s lives and why play is so critical to all of us.
In this conversation, we talk about how play literally shapes kids' brains, uses of AI to support play, Matt's new project, the Kibeam Wand that has the potential to transform learning to read, and much more.
Listen in to this lively conversation.
Sue Warfield is the president of ASTRA, and a good friend.She has been a passionate leader of her organization and an equally passionate proponent of play and its value in culture.
In this episode, Chris talks with Sue about their shared perspectives on play and its role in child development, and the necessity of play in building healthy children.
The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy News, The Toy Guy® and Beacon Media Group.
He's created a sensation from his kitchen table. This is one of those wonderful, classic toy biz stories about a great idea that finds its way.
With a combination of creativity, ingenuity, social media, and timing, Josh Carman has created a hit with Popdarts and along the way created a great family activity, a challenging game...and a new sport.
Listen in to his story!
In this episode, Chris talks to Brea Brand, founder of the Australian-based magnetic tile company Connetix.
With a combination of passion, creativity, and a commitment to excellence, Brand and her company have made a strong entry into the highly competitive magnetic tile business.
How she's built the brand and kept the focus on kids' play experiences make this a great conversation with some great tips for other visionary entrepreneurs.
One of the most important components of any toy program inthis highly competitive and crowded market is a strategic media program.
Given the proliferation of platforms, changes in demographics and emerging product categories, it can be a challenge.
Well, listen in because I sat down during New York Toy Fairwith three people who are at the forefront of this changing market and whose track record of success is truly impressive.
Lisa Morgan of Generation Media, Denis Crushell of Precise.TV, and I began a conversation at the Nuremberg Toy Fair on these topics as part of that show’s business forum, and we continue it here, joined by Lisa’s colleagues Alex Taylor-Smith.
It is truly exciting to share my conversation with thesethree industry leaders with you.
In this episode James Zahn of Toy Book and Toy Insider, John Baulch of Toy World UK, and Chris talk about the show, the products, the toy biz, and the year ahead.
It's the 7th time these three industry experts have sat down to have a conversation about the toys and the times.
Listen in to the conversation.
Chris talks with Greg Ahearn president and CEO of the Toy Association on the last day of the recent NY Toy Fair from the show floor.
They talk about the almost universally positive response to the show, the future of the NY show, what's going on in LA, the exceptional work being done by the Association in DC, and the important work of The Toy Foundation.
It's a somewhat wide-ranging conversation, but it's important listening for those who want to stay in the know about the work the Association is doing on behalf of the entire toy industry.
Chris talks to Billy Lagor about his stellar career, today's toy industry, and his role as the CEO of retailer Entertainment Earth.
His insights on licenses, properties, successes and social media are a must-listen for anyone in the toy industry.
In this episode, Chris talks to Sophia Chong, acting executive director of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, organizers of the Hong Kong Toys & Games Fair.
Chris & Sophia talk on the opening day of the fair about the show, the role of Toy Fairs in the industry, the growth of the toy business in the region, and the ongoing importance of Hong Kong on the global toy stage.
The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy News, The Toy Guy, and Beacon Media Group.
As the 2025 Toy Fair season begins, we kick off Season 7 of The Playground Pocast.
Chris talks with Christian Ulrich, spokesperson of the Executive Board of the Spielwarenmesse about the upcoming Nuremberg show.
They talk about the expansion of the show, trends to watch, and more.
This is Ulrich's third appearance on The Playground Podcast, and you'll find him as insightful, entertaining and knowledgeable as ever. (And get ready for an even bigger show in Nurmeberg, if you an imagine!)
Listen in to our sixth annual conversation about the year just past...and what may be brewing on the horizon.
James Zahn of The Toy Book and Toy Insider and John Baulch of Toy World UK sit down with Chris for a wide ranging conversation about what's up in the toy biz.
This is one of our most-listened-to episodes of the year, and we know you'll be engaged and entertained by the conversation.
The Playground Podcast is support by Global Toy News, The Toy Guy, and Beacon Media Group.
The Wow in the World podcast is the centerpiece of a groundbreaking entertainment platform--and an emerging licensing powerhouse.
In this episode, Chris talks to Nicole Blake, chief brand office at Wonderry and Andy Quartin, CEO of Thames & Kosmos.
It's a conversation about a dynamic licensing program, that capitalizes on contemporary entertainment...with a healthy dose of classic play.
Listen in as these two game changers talk about their individual and joint journeys.
In this episode Chris talks to Nelo Lucich, one of the co-founders of Skyrocket Toys about the company and notably their introduction of Poe: The AI Storytelling Bear.
Nelo and Chris talk about the process, the underlying structure and a little bit about the future of AI in the toy business.
The Playground Podcast is supported by Global Toy News, Th Toy Guy and Beacon Media Group.
Designing effective and engaging learning toys for children is always a challenge. It's one that Dr. Ben Miller has embraced. He's a learning scientist and senior learning designer for LeapFrog.
He talks with Chris about the concept of purposeful play, designing for learning, the opportunities and challenges for AI in learning toys, and best practices for those developing learning toys.
It's a wide-ranging conversation, but you'll be impressed by Ben's insight and passion for building play-based learning.
In this episode, Jay Foreman, CEO Basic Fun makes his fifth visit to The Playground Podcast.
This is one of our most important and timely episodes to date as Jay and Chris discuss the current state of China, the reality of doing business, and the implications for our business if threatened economic developments occur.
Jay is his usual frank self with insight, thoughtful commentary, and humor. Let this interview be your first step to examining the complex issues surrounding our relationship with China and what it means for toys.
In this episode, Chris talks to Barry and Jason of the eponymous Barry and Jason games about their careers, their work, the process of pitching games, and more.
Listen in as two of the most entertaining and thoughtful guys in the business talk about what they're doing, and what's next.
We promise you a good time.
Chris talks to drag racing star Alex Taylor who has been a star in her field since she was 16. She is the co-host of Hot Rod Garage and has a popular YouTube channel as well.
This is a story that goes beyond cars and talks about passion around which to build a life and career. Even more, it's a great tale for folks in the industry looking to build meaningful marketing relationships to build brands, and sales and expand franchises.
